prt57 Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 Hi,today I got over the last hurdle before a potential R32 order. I had a test drive to bring the car to my home to see if it could cope with all of the speed bumps and the slope up from the road to my drive. The car passed with flying colours with no grazing of the underside what so ever. But then a little doubt crept in when chatting to a Mk V GTI owner in the dealer's carpark. I was asking if he enjoyed his ownership and I said that I was interested in an R32. He was not impressed as he said that he had experienced an R32 spinning round on a track day possibly due to the heavier engine up front. His GTi was mapped up to 270bhp approx and he indicated that it was the better drive of the 2 cars. The guy said that he worked for VW Driver so he probably has a bit of experience in these areas. What do you think? I had forgotten how good the engine sounds as you give it some beans and certainly the tiptronic mode allowed very speedy gear changing. I did struggle a bit trying to flick the paddles as you turn the wheel though. Anyway here is my proposed specification: R32 in Tornado Red Manual gearbox 3 door Leather Highline Smoking pack (Just because I don't want the black hole where the ashtray was!) Sunroof Ipod connection including armrest Cheers for your thoughts, prt57 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_m Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 Dependind on Budget, I personally would opt for DSG, but thats all personal choice! Not sure that I have seen any red R32's, different, and maybe a brave choice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prt57 Posted September 9, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 I have seen 2 red ones in the flesh: The first was in a dealer down in St Albans a coupleof months ago. The second was spotted the week before last as I was driving up from Naples to Rome. I only got a quick look as it was going the other way on the Autostrada. I asked about owners with red cars a little while ago and a very kind chap from Finland took some pics of his new red pride and joy and sent them to me for a drool. I have bought red cars since 1989 and so I hope to carry on the tradition!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac_Terrorist Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 PRT57 - how many miles do you cover in a year? Those who clock up reasonable mileage in a year love DSG but I have also read about those who just can't take to it and it does seem to point to lack of experience / opportunity to get accustomed to it. I only do approx 4k ish per year and for that reason went for manual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prt57 Posted September 9, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 I will probably do about the same mileage as you Tarmac and I would be able to get used to the DSG. Not sure about spending the extra dosh though! It did remind me of my son's Microsoft steering wheel for the computer as the paddles are much the same. I have been driving over 30 years and so I am more than used to a clutch and gearbox. I like the feeling that I am in control rather than the car controlling what is going on. Or at least that is what it felt like to me! Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKLooney Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 [ QUOTE ] But then a little doubt crept in when chatting to a Mk V GTI owner in the dealer's carpark. [/ QUOTE ] When the cold wet winter roads arrive, you will know that you've made a good choice I don't think you can truly judge the DSG after a 1/2hr test drive... needs a bit of learning first Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rs32 Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 hi prt57 you have asked for advice about whether R32 or GTI is the way to go based on some comments made by another 3rd party. Would strongly recommend you take each car for a 48 hour loan to help decide. Neither car is cheap so you need to be sure your choice is backed up with further research. Both cars are excellent but very different (and will be even more different after 50k+ miles) - and your chosen options can be applied to either model. Wit regard to colour, red will not be hugely popular on this car, so be aware it's not a big part of the market for selling on - but that may work in its favour with the right future buyer Get the right car for you, do the extended drive if possible Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prt57 Posted September 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 Thank you for your replies. Adding it all up I have driven 5 cars with DSG including Audi A3 versions and each time I have prefered my manual gearbox car. I realise that everyone's taste differ which is why all options are available. Unfortunately the excellent idea of extended drives are not available in our area but I have tried to make up for it by having a a number of shorter test drives at dealers within 40 mile radius of my home. I am interested in your thoughts rs32 about my proposed colour choice. The GTI looks really smart in red and the photos of the R32 from Finland that I have show an exciting looking vehicle. Whist at the dealers yeaturday I came across somebody in the carpark who was giving my Flash red Mk 4 1.8T a really good look over, hoping it was for sale. As I always try to look after my cars in comparison to some of the second hand GTIs and R32s that I have seen for sale I don't think that a person buying a second hand car would buy a dented or scratched DBP car over a red one if the red one was in better condition. I may be wrong on this point but I would be surprised. Keep 'em coming but today might be ordering day!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rs32 Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 the comments on the colour were based upon the MkIV sales figures discussed here a while ago. IIRC there were less than 50 red MkIV's sold into the UK Doesn't mean it's not a good colour - just not as popular. Regarding your colour/condition comparison example, if buying s/h from a dealer I would expect most buyers to insist that any dents etc. would be sorted as part of the deal. Some teasers in case you haven't seen them there's very few images available of red ones - not sure if anyone on TSN has gone for this colour yet ? good luck with the decision-making Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prt57 Posted September 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 Thank you for the images, I used to have the view showing the bumper as my computer desktop. Here(hopefully) is a link to one of the pics from Finland. I have not done this before so please bear with me! prt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prt57 Posted September 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 Yippee, it sort of worked! Here is another one showing the front. prt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rs32 Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 those are much better pics than the press shots just my 10p's worth but imo with the MkV shape the GTI looks far better than the R in red . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prt57 Posted September 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 And the back.......... Don't say that rs, you are rocking my boat again!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oli Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 Looks good in red. Normally I am not a red car fan, but it really suits the R32, from any angle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamin Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 Hi there, this is my first post. I think it looks great in red and you wont see many around. I am going down to Caffyns in the morning to sign the paperwork on my 5door R2 manual with leather and Sat Nav. Very nearly went red but chose steel grey in the end as there is a car ready and waiting. Excited is an understatement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now